Now that the Super Bowl has been played and free agency is approaching in a month, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team. Today, the New York Giants are the focus. The Giants have the 9th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and a few key players will hit the free agency market this year, most notably defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and safety Antrel Rolle.
New York Giants 2015 Offseason: Top 3 Needs
Safety
If Antrel Rolle does not return to the Giants, which seems likely because of the salary cap situation, the Giants will be desperate for safety help. Stevie Brown, the other starting safety, is also a free agent, although his situation is much different. After tearing his ACL and missing the 2013 season, Stevie Brown was benched in the middle of the 2014 season. After Quintin Demps (also a free agent) proved to be ineffective as well, Brown took back his spot and finished the year on a better note. It will be interesting to see if the Giants offer Brown a one-year deal to see if he can return to his 2012 form. The only safeties on the roster right now are Cooper Taylor and Nat Berhe. Cooper Taylor was a fifth-round pick in 2013, but he missed the entire 2014 season after suffering a sesamoid fracture in his left foot in the preseason. Nat Berhe was a fifth-round pick in 2014, but didn’t make much of an impact in his rookie season.
It is very likely that the Giants target a safety in one of the first three rounds of the 2015 draft even if Rolle does return. Ideally, Rolle will return for a reasonable price and they could potentially draft Alabama safety Landon Collins in the first round to start next to him. They will likely pick up a safety in free agency as well, but probably won’t be able to afford an impact player like Devin McCourty. Both safety positions have serious question marks right now and the Giants must address the position immediately.
Offensive Line
Whether it is a guard or a tackle, it is clear that the Giants need to bring in at least one more solid offensive lineman. The Giants currently have four starting offensive linemen on the roster: Will Beatty, Weston Richburg, Geoff Schwartz, and Justin Pugh. Their positions on the offensive line are far from set, however. Richburg will likely slide to his natural center position, Schwartz will start at one guard position, and Beatty will start at one tackle position (most likely left tackle). Pugh can play either guard or tackle, so his versatility allows the Giants to look for an impact player at either position.
The Giants almost certainly need to draft an offensive lineman in one of the first three rounds of the 2015 draft. There are a few quality options in the first round, including Brandon Scherff (Iowa), Andrus Peat (Stanford), or La’el Collins (LSU). The Giants could also opt to sign a cheap right tackle in free agency like Joseph Barksdale to add much-needed depth.
Defensive End
If the Giants cannot retain Jason Pierre-Paul, they will be desperate to add a dominant pass rusher. Mathias Kiwanuka, the other starting defensive end, will most likely be cut, as he currently holds the fourth-largest salary cap number on the team and his play has declined significantly. Robert Ayers and Damontre Moore will likely battle for the other starting defensive end position (if Pierre-Paul is re-signed). Ayers played well with limited snaps last season, and he should be much better under new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Moore was a third-round pick in 2013 and he has shown some potential, but too many bad penalties have hurt him so far in his young career. Kerry Wynn barely made the roster last season as an undrafted free agent, but he earned a roster spot with his play at the end of the year.
If the Giants re-sign Jason Pierre-Paul and Robert Ayers or Damontre Moore have a breakout season, this position won’t be a need. However, defensive end could become a glaring need if Jason Pierre-Paul leaves and an impact player isn’t signed. Additionally, the Giants love pass rushers, so a high-profile defensive end might be drafted or signed in free agency to solidify the unit regardless.
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